United States of Quentin Capitol Building
| United States of Quentin Capitol | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| General Information | |||||
| Architectural Style | Neoclassical | ||||
| Address | 6312 Capital Street Mechanicsburg, GA USQ | ||||
| Current Tenants | United States of Quentin Congress House of Representatives House of Bureaucrats | ||||
| Architectural Firm | James Toit | ||||
| Construction Began | May 1st, 1839 | ||||
| Completed | 1842 | ||||
| Floors | 3 | ||||
| Telephone | 777-777-7771 | ||||
| Megasite | capitolbuilding.gov.nwd[1] | ||||
The Capitol Building was originally commissioned in May of 1839, five years after the ratification of the federal Constitution which created the new nation and its government. For the first five years of its existence, Congress was located at the Territorial Assembly House across the Logan River in Mechanicsburg, however the building soon became too small to accommodate both houses of Congress. Construction began that year, headed by James Toit and hundreds of workers from across the country, and was completed in 1842, although not as it is today. Later, in 1865 and 1983, the Capitol was renovated, with gates, the large gardens at the front, interior decoration, and a rear wing being added.
Contents
History
The Capitol Building was originally commissioned in May of 1839, five years after the ratification of the federal Constitution which created the new nation and its government. For the first five years of its existence, Congress was located at the Territorial Assembly House across the Logan River in Mechanicsburg, however the building soon became too small to accommodate both houses of Congress. Construction began that year, headed by James Toit and hundreds of workers from across the country, and was completed in 1842, although not as it is today. Later, in 1865 and 1983, the Capitol was renovated, with gates, the large gardens at the front, interior decoration, and a rear wing being added.
Throughout the centuries, the building was continuously used as the Capitol, and a number of important laws and bills were passed there, along with all the amendments to the nation's Constitution. No opposing force ever was able to occupy the building or Mechanicsburg, and numerous Congresspeople have occupied the nearly 150 offices in the building. Also included in the Capitol is the two chambers, one for the House of Bureaucrats, and one for the Quentinian House of Representatives. The Unity Chamber is where both Houses convene for conjoined meetings. The building is kept up today by the Quentinian Department of Infrastructure, along with the Quentinian Department of Monuments.
Exterior
Grounds
The grounds of the Capitol Building are not large, however outline the building as well as reach out to the back and front more than the building itself does. In the front is a large garden, featuring decorative hedging and paths through the hedging to the capitol. These paths are often walked by officials on break, or by visitors, and benches are included. Past the hedging to the left side of the building is a colonnade which leads to the security entrance area, ensuring officials can enter through the security area and walk directly into the building via the colonnade. The area to the right of the hedging is also similar, however this is used more often by the House of Bureaucrats members, as they work on the right side of the building.
Behind the capitol building is a small area of grounds with trees, where officials can walk and discuss. This area is closed to the public. Finally, Mechanicsburg Capitol Square park is technically included in the grounds of the capitol, as numerous Congresspeople use the park, however it operates independently and is a public park. Mechanicsburg Capitol Square and the small stretch of road next to the Capitol has often been used for protests and other gatherings, as the park and street area are open to the public and to public gatherings. Notable past protests include the 1924 Zwakazian Protests, protests by the United Front for Human Rights in 2004 for the rights of LGBT people, and the violent Pro-Southian Riots of 2011. Additionally, the Capitol sits on Capital Street, which runs through Mechanicsburg and the Orivoam Coast district of the city, across the Logan River from the downtown area of the city.
Flags and Decoration
By tradition, at least three flags are always flown on the capitol building, one in the center, and one for each of the building's wings. In addition, one larger flag has also been draped along the back of the capitol, above the exit from the building to the grounds in the back of the building. Two flags are usually flown on top of the security entrances on each side of the main building, and flags are also set up to commemorate occasions such as inaugurations or large events. Other decoration at the capitol, besides the decorative hedging, includes the gates, which are decorated with gold and sometimes with lights colored for special occasions. On the level of steps close to the building, there are many lampposts, which illuminate the pathways.
Interior
Entrance Hall
Green Representatives Chamber
The Green Representatives Chamber is the official chamber of the House of Representatives, and is located in the left wing of the capitol building, to the left of the entrance hall. The chamber was first opened in 1844, with the two houses sharing a chamber until both wings were ready. Containing 20 seats for the members of the House, the chamber has additional seats for advisors, journalists, territorial delegates, and others. The chamber also has a balcony area above for citizens, cameras, and other spectators to enter and watch the proceedings. The floor is green carpet with white specks, giving it the name of Green Representatives Chamber, and has wood paneling on the walls of the debating floor. Doors lead to exits from the floor, one of them leading to the entrance hall, another to the colonnade leading out of the building, another at the back leading to a small antechamber outside the main room, and two others to the chamber of the House Moderator. These two doors sit to the left and right of the moderator's chair, which is at the front of the room.
The balcony above is marked by numerous columns, four on the front and back sides of the balcony area, and four on the left and right. the ceiling is raised, which can be seen from the outside of the building with its raised trapezoid shaped roof, and lighting is prevalent on the ceiling. The white ceiling also contains gold decoration, and small murals of the Quentinian coat of arms, the House coat of arms, the Congressional seal, and the mural Odessifyie by Adam Sulkart. The last mural portrays the Quentinian War for Independence, a scene of politicians debating, and industry including farms and factories. Finally, there is one door leading from the balcony down to the entrance hall, via a staircase.
Bureaucratic Orthotope
The Bureaucratic Orthotope is the other main chamber of the capitol, located on the right side of the building. This chamber is slightly larger than the Green Representatives Chamber, as the House of Bureaucrats is much larger, currently at 110 officials. The Bureaucratic Orthotope is also different from the Representatives Chamber in that there are no desks for the 110 bureaucrats. Rather, all members just have chairs, lined up in close rows in the center of the hall. Extra chairs also exist at the back of the hall, for other personnel, although sometimes these are removed while the House is in session, or are replaced by cameras. To the left and right of the main chairs, there is a elevated area of chairs on both sides, which are for media personnel, assistants, advisors, clerks, and other officials. Pillars separate the main area from these elevated areas, with six on each side of the ground floor. There are also four other pillars at the back of the chamber. Past these pillars is the main exit, which leads to the entrance hall. Also on the floor of the chamber is a stage at the front, where the Head Bureaucrat and house party leaders sit.
Numerous paintings decorate the front of the chamber as well, including one of George Firedawn during the Quentinian War for Independence, one of a debate raging in Congress when the two houses shared the entrance hall as a chamber, one of Kindy Bost-Jameson, and four smaller portraits of Jim Clockington, Cockington Ravenclaw, Knile Hufflepuff, and George Bigafeet. There is a balcony in the Bureaucratic Orthotope as well, which outlines the four sided chamber above. An additional 16 pillars are included on the balcony, one above each pillar on the ground floor. On this balcony, spectators can watch proceedings in their seats. At the back, attached to the balcony is a large clock, with a shield with Quentinian colors, and an exit off the balcony which leads into a small antechamber, which then leads down to the entrance hall. In addition to this antechamber entrance, there are twisted staircases leading up to the balcony from the front of the hall.
Clockington Hall
Clockington Hall is a large, grandly decorated room at the back of the capitol building. The hall is accessible from the entrance hall, and leads out to the grounds via a porch. The hall itself was the first functional room in the building, and before the existence of 777 Cupboard Place, the hall was meant to be an area for official meetings, as a place for the President to sign bills and conduct other business, and a place for state dinners and balls. The hall was named for Jim Clockington, and spans the whole width of the building. There is a large dining hall, which is today used for state dinners, and the area on the left of the hall is used for meetings between the President and Congress, although not for foreign visits or bill signing as was once intended. The hall has many hanging chandeliers, for which it is famous, and has the most visitors of any room in the capitol, partly because it is often unused for periods of time.
Capitol Office Wings
Behind the main chambers of the capitol building are the office wings which contain offices for the 130 members of Congress, excluding those who are leaders of their party and have offices in the Firedawn Catacombs. These wings are located behind their respective chambers, meaning the left office wing is for representatives, and the right for bureaucrats. These office wings have entrances from the entrance hall, and though they are adjacent to the Clockington Hall, they do not connect to it directly. The bureaucratic wing is much larger than the representative one, however, and so bureaucratic offices can also be found on the left side of the building. Offices are equal in size and shape, and can be decorated however the current occupant wishes. The decision of who occupies what office is left to seniority, as the most senior of representatives or bureaucrats get first choice. Often this means the junior bureaucrats are located in the representative wing, and must walk further to the Orthotope.
Firedawn Catacombs
The Firedawn Catacombs is the most unused section of the building, located underneath the building itself. This area was meant as a place to bury important figures, including at one point the first President, George Firedawn, however only three officials were ever buried there, Head Bureaucrat Jim Clockington along with bureaucrats Lydia Zahn and Wilacia Zealen. Today, the catacombs contain numerous rooms, including the main chamber which includes the burial areas for the three bureaucrats, and office areas for the party leaders of each house. Also on the floor of the catacombs is a compass, with the names of geographically important cities in the nation arranged on the compass. The center city is Mechanicsburg, with the western city being Beach Haven, the eastern city being Lindin, the southern city being Port Jaron, and the northern city being Maximum City. These were placed on the compass in 1904 because they were the most extreme major cities of the map, and thus hold the nation together. The compass is a major tourist attraction, and the main hall of the catacombs are open to the public, however the rest is not because of the technical equipment and offices held there.
Major Events
See also: Quentinian Presidential Inauguration, Quentinian Congressional Inaugurations, and Quentinian Supreme Council Inauguration
The capitol building and its grounds play host to many major events, especially major political events. The largest of these events are usually the inaugurations of federal officials after they are elected. The Presidential inauguration takes place at the Capitol every four years, even if a President is elected for multiple terms, and in this ceremony at the capitol, the President takes the oath of office and usually gives a speech outlining the goals of the presidency. The ceremony is held on the front lawn of the capitol, and usually grand decorations are set up for the ceremony. Capital Street is blocked off for this event, and thousands of citizens come to watch, or witness the event on television.
Congressional inaugurations also take place at the capitol, by tradition. Every time an election for the House of Bureaucrats or House of Representatives occurs, all elected officials at that election will crowd into the garden area outside the capitol, and take their oaths of office one by one, by state. In cases of a replacement Congressperson or a new official who is not elected at the same time as others, the inauguration is held inside the capitol, in the Firedawn Catacombs. Finally, Supreme Council inaugurations are held at the Capitol as well, as every time a decider is elected they take a different oath of office from other federal officials. At this ceremony, all members of the Supreme Council appear, and are present when the new member takes their oath. The event is typically larger and more attended than the Congressional ones, however not as much as presidential inaugurations.
Other events held at the capitol besides inauguration ceremonies include announcements and ceremonial signings. Announcements include the announcement of new acts and bills of Congress every time one is introduced or passed, a rule of the Congress and Capitol Procedural Charter so that citizens are informed of the activities of the legislature, although today all sessions are broadcast live on media, television, and the Megaconn as well. Ceremonial signings also take place, where bills or treaties are signed into law outside for the public to witness. One such event was the passage of the Quentinian Membership to ATADO Act, joining the Asperian Trade and Defense Organization, which was signed by the President and approved by the Supreme Council outside the capitol. Another such instance was the ratification of the 20th amendment to the Constitution, which began the tradition of signing all amendments outside the capitol.
